The Top Four Men: (left to right) Jason Brown, Jeremy Abbott, Max Aaron and Joshua Farris pose for
photographers on the medals podium after the Men's competition during
the Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships, TD Garden Boston, Massachusetts

Time to Recap the MEN and ICE Dance Costumes of the 2014 U.S. Nationals...First the MEN:

Jason Brown, Free Skate: Jason skated an AMAZING performance/skate for his Free Skate to "Reel Around the Sun" by Bill Whelan. His costume--while a bit gawdy and TRIM-a-licious, I still liked it because it goes perfectly well with his "River Dance"-like performance, it's a "show-stopper" of a costume (and maybe in a tacky way), and Jason IS a showman. At least, Jason is giving me something--compared to Brandon Mroz (keep reading!). I completely approve this costume, designed by Elena Pollack.

Jeremy Abbott, Free Skate: For his Free Skate to "Exogenesis Symphony Part III (Redemption)" by Muse, Jeremy Abbott wore this costume designed by Elise Fife. It's a printed loose top in brown, lilac and gray watercolor-like colorings. The ensemble is finished off with dark blue pants. It's a good look for this elegant, subdued, modern music.

Adam Rippon, Free Skate: I love how soft and drapy Adam's costume is (the top, at least). He skated his FS to "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" by Claude Debussy and this Jan Longmire-designed costume tries to mimic the Nijinsky-like soft femininity that one knows is associated with this music.

Joshua Farris, Free Skate: Speaking of soft and drapy, this is a fabulous costume on one of my favorite male figure skaters, Joshua Farris. Joshua skated his FS to Music from Schindler's List by John Williams in this Susi Hubbs designed costume (Susi contacted me to let me know that she was the designer of this FAB costume. She also created John Coughlin's "Phantom" costume and the designs worn by Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, the Canadian ice dancers, among others.). Pat Pearsall-designed costume. Pearsall is one of the most renown Figure Skating Costume Designers and she knows what she is doing! The asymmetrical ivory ombre dyed cowl neck top is gorgeous; so fluid and so harmonious with the music.

Ross Miner, Free Skate: Ross skated his FS to Boston Strong--Music from the album Glory by Michael W. Smith. This was a tribute to his hometown of Boston--which also incidentally, was the host city of this year's U.S. Nationals. I thought this was a very nice costume--designed by The Work Room Productions--I thought the deep purple and silver sequins, created in a cross-like pattern was exquisite and enough of a costume exclamation point needed to highlight this emotional skate.

Max Aaron, Free Skate: Max skated his FS to Music from Carmen performed by Rodion Shchedrin and the Boston Pops Orchestra. I LOVE this sleek, modern costume. I especially like the use of solid with sheer panels (see above pic). It's one of my favorite male figure skating costumes for being so chic, sleek and modern--and for not using any overt "Carmen"-like toreador details...or a red rose!

Bye Bye Curls: Just one sad note--that he cut his hair! I LOVED it all long and curly in the front in above pic.

Brandon Mroz, Free Skate: Brandon is a phenomenal jumper--but when it comes to his costumes...Oyyy veyy!! This is what he wore for his Free Skate to "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue"--a ballet with music by Richard Rodgers about a hoofer who falls in love with a dance hall girl who is then shot by a jealous boyfriend. The 1957 film by the same name chronicles the dealings of crime, murder and widespread corruption in NYC's waterfront. With that being said and knowing the background, this costume is still THE. WORST. COSTUME. EVER. Seriously. It's like he--or whoever his costume designer is--did not even try; it's as if they went to an Express Outlet store, had a $100 budget and bought this above. Take a look at how the too-short shirt--that's not even tucked, lifts up and shows his tummy while he is jumping...it's just unacceptable.

Ice Dance Free Dance Costume Highlights:

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani Free Dance: I've written about these great costumes that brother-and-sister ice dancers Shibutani and Shibutani wear for their Free Dance to a Michael Jackson medley. You can read that HERE.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Free Dance: Chock and Bates skated their FD to Selections from Les Misérables by various artists. The good: it's pretty obvious that they are skating to Les Misérables. Also, I think Evan looks sharp and perfect.The not-so-good: Madison's pink costume with shredded shoulder details is a bit lackluster--design-wise for me, it almost seems as if more time was taken for his costume than hers, which is odd since Madison designed these costumes. I also don't think the shape is flattering to her figure at all.

I absolutely love these costumes--especially hers--she looks like a near Eastern Empress! The chiffon gathering and draping plus the multicolored jeweled crystals are divine. Incidentally, this is a Change of Costume--well, more specifically, the color of the costume. This lilac color is a change from this...

What she wore at NHK Trophy 2013 in November...same design, just a color change.

Congrats and Good Luck at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics: Members of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team are introduced at the
Smucker's Skating Spectacular following the Prudential U.S. Figure
Skating Championships, TD Garden Boston,
Massachusetts.

Why confine your assessments to the top contenders? I personally think the best costumes in the entire championships are the stunning gold-on-black ones worn by the Gamelin twins in ice dance. Her dress is a peacock and his has a snake. You can see a photo here: http://photography.ice-dance.com/2013-14/14USNat/Sr/SrDFD/14USNats-SrFD-7942-GG-RR.JPG

I actually STRONGLY disliked the costumes worn by Chock and Bates for their free dance. I felt like it didn't go with Les Miserables at all. I felt like Madison looked like she was skating to Romeo and Juliet (and I agree it was not very figure flattering) and Evan looked like a stuffy Brit. I thought Zhang/Bartholomay's Les Mis costumes in pairs were FAR better. And then Jeremy Abbott showed up for the Spectacular and skated to"Bring Him Home" and I felt his costume was spot on, too. As a huge Les Mis fan, I knew Zhang/Bartholomay and Abbott were using something from Les Mis before the music even started. But with Chock/Bates I was so distracted by how fundamentally wrong I felt their costumes were that I couldn't even enjoy their performance.